The Safe Tennessee Project Statement on the Umpqua Mass Shooting

NASHVILLE – Once again, gun violence has visited an American school. At this time, we know that a lone 20-year-old gunman has killed at least 13 people and injured at least 20 more at the Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon. Once again, families are reeling, stunned by grief. Survivors are suffering. No one in that community will ever forget the horror they experienced on October 1, 2015.

“Our deepest support goes out to the victims of this senseless and horrific act of violence,” said Dr. Jonathan Metzl, Safe Tennessee Project Research Director. “Gun-free college campuses have historically been among the safest places in our nation for young people. For the sake of our collective future, we must do everything we can to make sure that this remains the case.”

No family should ever have to go through what the Umpqua Community College families are experiencing right now. Our hearts are broken for the families and the entire Roseburg community.

“All of us at the Safe Tennessee Project remain committed to fighting gun violence- all forms of it,” said Beth Joslin Roth, Safe Tennessee Project Policy Director. “This issue is complicated and there is no easy solution, but doing nothing is not an option. It can’t be.”

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The Safe Tennessee Project s a nonpartisan, volunteer-based organization dedicated to addressing the epidemic of gun violence in Tennessee through community outreach, raising awareness, and effective policy advocacy.

We are a proud member of States United to Prevent Gun Violence, a national coalition of gun violence prevention organizations.